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Why can't I play WMV files?

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Original Message
Name: edonline
Date: February 18, 2007 at 09:10:23 Pacific
Subject: Why can't I play WMV files?
OS: WinXP Home, SP2
CPU/Ram: P4 1800Mhz/512MB
Model/Manufacturer: Gateway
Comment:

I'm having problems playing WMV files. If I open them in Windows Media Player, I receive a message asking for a security upgrade which does nothing. If I try to open them in any other player, I get a message saying that either the file can't be played or that it is an invalid type.


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Response Number 1
Name: sterlingk
Date: February 18, 2007 at 09:54:28 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Have you downloaded the K_Lite Codec pack ?
That might solve your problem.

I wonder what'll happen if I do this ?


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Response Number 2
Name: mattie
Date: February 18, 2007 at 09:56:41 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

does that happen with ANY wmv?

have you tried with GOMplayer?

http://www.gomplayer.com/main.html

Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'


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Response Number 3
Name: edonline
Date: February 18, 2007 at 11:43:27 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

"Have you downloaded the K_Lite Codec pack?"

Yes I have and when I try to play the same file(s) using Media Player Classic through K-Lite, I receive a message "Cannot render file".

"does that happen with ANY wmv?"

It happens with about one out of every three WMV files, mostly files downloaded from usenet although I have had the same problem with files downloaded from websites.


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Response Number 4
Name: edonline
Date: February 18, 2007 at 11:48:31 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

"have you tried with GOMplayer?"

I've tried using GOMplayer before and tried it again today, but when I try to play the same files which have the problems, I receive a message saying "You don't have the right codec to play" which seems strange because all of my codecs should be up to date.


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Response Number 5
Name: XpUser4Real
Date: February 18, 2007 at 12:16:05 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

VLC player is what you might try
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks


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Response Number 6
Name: 13526
Date: February 18, 2007 at 12:18:44 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Hi
=======================================
Did you try dBpowerAMP-codec-wmav91.exe ?
I use it on 3 machines. You can get it here:
http://idatop.com/programs/file/dBp...
Peter


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Response Number 7
Name: mattie
Date: February 18, 2007 at 15:06:44 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

drm protection?

Today's subliminal thought is: 'Calm down ... it's only ones and zeros.'

icq 10183575


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Response Number 8
Name: Sub
Date: February 18, 2007 at 18:11:45 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

sounds like the files u r trying to play are either corrupted or u done have the right codec installed, try founding out what codec is needed, and download it manually


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Response Number 9
Name: lurkswithin
Date: February 19, 2007 at 01:47:59 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

mattie has the answer...drm protected files.

if you don't update the drm as requested then you can't use the files....
if you update and still can't use the files then you are basically screwed...as the drm protection was downloaded the download manager more than likely corrupted the files and locked you out of them....so far no one has reported a repair for this action...including microsoft...they just report what happens when the download manager screws them up!

In The Matters Of Style,
swim with the current;
in matters of principle,
Stand Like A Rock


"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the
freedom of thought which they avoid."


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Response Number 10
Name: edonline
Date: February 19, 2007 at 07:47:29 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

Thanks for the responses and comments. I (vaguely) understand about DRM. Some files which I downloaded from website on which I am a member have been "locked" by WMP11 and I can't play them no matter what I seem to do. Others though were downloaded from various usenet groups and I assume that they aren't protected and yet they won't play.


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Response Number 11
Name: AreYouPeopleSerious
Date: February 19, 2007 at 21:25:10 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

I'm sure we can all guess what type of video files you're downloading from Usenet, but that's your own business.

WMV encoded files can also harbor viruses and other malware; typically it will ask you to install a "license" to watch the video in question.

There are plenty of free porn sites out there with movies on them. Try sticking to AVI and MPG files as they have fewer security risks.

Who gave you people access to a computer?


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Response Number 12
Name: XpUser4Real
Date: February 19, 2007 at 22:36:13 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

did you try response 5?

Hopefully my advice will help you...Please post back with your results....thanks


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Response Number 13
Name: edonline
Date: February 20, 2007 at 05:37:53 Pacific
Reply: (edit)

I've also tried response #5 ("VLC player is what you might try") but that didn't work either.


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